Who Is Interim Speaker Patrick McHenry and What Can He Do as Pro Tempore?

Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) speaks to the press after meeting President Joe Biden to discuss the debt limit at the White House in Washington on May 22, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

With a slam of the gavel after his ally Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted as speaker on Oct. 3 for the first time ever through a motion to vacate, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) made himself known as the interim speaker.

The bowtie-wearing McHenry, 47, will temporarily hold the gavel until a speaker is chosen, a move scheduled for Oct. 11, with the previous day being a candidate forum.